The introduction of ‘Pink Auto’ in Ranchi was seen as a blessing for women commuters of the city. But this blessing seems to be turning into a bane for both women passengers as well as for Pink Auto drivers as they allege being subject to harassment by male auto drivers and youths in the city.“The service of Pink Auto was started for women passengers so that they can feel safe while moving in the city but situations have turned worse. When we are not safe, how we can ensure safety to our passengersIJ Many a times male auto drivers abuse us and do not let women passengers board our auto. We are assaulted and harassed even under broad daylight,” said lalmuni Devi, a Pink Auto driver.
The absence of separate auto stand for these autos has added more to the woes of pink auto driver. “We do not have a separate auto stand. So, we park our vehicles in common parking which leads to dispute between Pink Auto drivers and male auto drivers. Male auto drivers accuse us of getting fewer passengers. Sometimes they come and park their auto in front of our vehicles. They pass vulgar comments and advice us to stay at home and do household work,” said another Pink Auto driver, Sushila Devi.The situation of women passengers is no different. It has become easy for boys to identify that girls are travelling in these autos so they start following them and ride their bike near to these autos.
“When I got to know about pink auto which would run only for girls, I was very happy. I thought that now I can move safely. But nothing happened as such. Boys keep roaming around these autos and tease girls sitting in the auto .It has become more unsafe for us now,” said Harshita, a resident of Ashoknagar. These reasons are letting women passengers to take normal auto and travel in the same uncomfortable situation.These pink autos still have not been provided with permit. They are allowed only to run autos from Argora Chowk to Kadru Moore which does not let them to earn enough money. Moreover, the authorities cannot help them as they do not have any permit.“We joined ‘Pink Auto Service’ to get respect and earn money to support our family. It seemed that with pink auto service we would have a say in the society. But the continuous harassment has put us in a state of perplexity.” said Shanti lakra, a Pink Auto driver.